Former bar to give homeless ‘urgent’ shelter
AFORMER bar in Ma c c l e s f i e l d town centre will be turned into a temporary shelter to meet the ‘urgent’ need for homeless accommodation this winter.
Revolution, on Mill Street, will be able to take four people overnight as permission has been granted for this until the end of March.
But planners at Cheshire East Council say the building cannot be used beyond this date as it lacks the facilities for long-term use and would mean the loss of ‘active public-facing frontage’ in a shopping area.
In previous years homeless people would find respite in church halls but the Covid pandemic means somewhere bigger is needed to allow social distancing.
Granting a planning application for the shelter, planning officer Danielle Sammy said: “This would allow for church organisations in Macclesfield to provide services to homeless people on a temporary basis over the winter period. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the number of occupants accommodated would be minimal (approximately four beds separated by screens) and there would be sufficient space within the building to prevent overcrowding.
“The applicant has advised that no bathrooms or showers would be provided, but that there would be ample toilet facilities due to the previous use of the site as a drinking establishment.
”It is considered that this would be acceptable for urgent short-term temporary shelter but would not provide sufficient living standards for long-term use.”
A report submitted by applicants Macclesfield
Property Syndicate says in previous years church’s in the town have taken it in turns to open up for homeless people. Typically they have not been encouraged to stay the night but the report says the need for such facilities is ‘well-established’.
The shelter will be open from 10pm to 8am when temperatures less than zero degrees have been predicted and be staffed by trained volunteers.
Macclesfield Town Council and Macclesfield Civic Society both supported the proposals.